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Post by laurasnowbird on Nov 2, 2004 17:37:07 GMT -5
Question for you gals in Michigan:
Ethan is transferring out of Early Intervention in December (the 19th, to be exact) and the intermediate school district has decided to (belatedly) start transition planning.
I was told by a couple of other parents that the rules regarding schools of choice do not apply to special education, that we can choose to have our children in any school district in our county that meets their needs. Does anyone know if this is true? And what would support such a move under the statutes? Just wondering if someone out there knows before I go on a search, LOL!
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Post by momofrussell on Nov 2, 2004 18:56:30 GMT -5
www.michigan.gov/documents/RevAdmRulesSE_2002_06_06_50576_7.pdfHave you cruised around your Michigan Dept of Ed web site? That is a good place to start. The link above is a PDF file... MANY pages but you can scroll down after looking at the table of contents and maybe see what you are looking for. I'd bookmark the site and the rules, laws, ect.. for Michigan and the Federal stuff just to always have it! I was hoping Michigan's was like MO's, we have a parent's version that is WAY shorter, easy to understand and straight to the point about that stuff! I know in CA we COULD go out of district. In IL we did too but in MO we stayed in district. We had enough options that it never came up so I don't know if it's a state to state thing or federal. I DO know that under the IDEA laws it's the LEAST restrictive environment and that does include private school settings, so I don't see why "out of district" wouldn't apply also! It's nice to know your options before hand. Good luck!!!! A.
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Post by Chris on Nov 2, 2004 21:06:04 GMT -5
Laura,
It really depends on why you would want to go out of your district. I was really hoping to have Sarah fully included but my district doesn't have a typical preschool program for three year olds. I visited the ECDD (PPI) classroom and was amazed at how delayed Sarah was in comparison to those kids. I decided to try the ECDD class.
If I still wanted to have her in a special ed class but wasn't thrilled with the ECDD program in my district and wanted to put her in a different ECDD program in another district, I would have to prove that the ECDD program in my district didn't offer what my child needs. I hear this is very difficult to do.
I am not sure what they do about school of choice if you want Ethan fully included in a typical classroom. You do know that you can keep him in the Early On program until next September. I know that the rules have changed and he doesn't have to be exited out of Early On if his third birthday is in the middle of the school year. If you feel too rushed to make a decision by December, this is an option.
Chris
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Post by laurasnowbird on Nov 2, 2004 22:06:38 GMT -5
Thanks A. and Chris,
I have those darned administrative rules printed out, A., I was just hoping for a short answer from someone before I went wading through them, LOL! And I wish Michigan had a parent's version too! My problem A., is that I'm really well versed in the Part C stuff, but just learning Part B. Ugh!
Chris, I did know that Ethan could stay in his Early On program until next September, but was so dissatisfied with the program that he isn't even going now! He has been at home with me, and we've been doing lots and spending lots of time in play situations with the children of my friends. It has been my observation that he learns lots more from typical kids than he does in a classroom full of impaired kids. At least that is true of the classroom he was placed in. I'm checking out other classrooms, but would like to find a typical preschool that would be a good fit.
I think my concern stems from the fact that my local school district has never fully included anyone, but the district neighboring mine has a great program, and I know several kids who are successfully fully included. I would like Ethan to go there! I need to figure out a way OUT of this school district. Any and all suggestions are welcome!
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Post by momofrussell on Nov 2, 2004 22:14:57 GMT -5
Move?
LOL... just kidding... but you said you'd welcome all options!!! I know there MUST be a way!!!!
A.
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Post by justinsmom on Nov 2, 2004 23:09:31 GMT -5
Laura don't know the ins and outs but Justin does attend another school district. All I knew was our district was NO WAY a fit for our little guy. For us we wanted structure and academics whereas our district was strictly for socialization skills as was the typical preschool. Sorry but I don't see what it would hurt to introduce the alphabet, numbers, colors etc. as well. Our home district has to supply transportation for him to the other school in the next district. All I did was request an immediate IEP for the change and no problem as they knew I was not a happy camper with their whole program to put it mildly. Good Luck but knowing you you'll do GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;D
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Post by laurasnowbird on Nov 2, 2004 23:16:32 GMT -5
A.
Dude, you're on! I'll be packing my things straight away! LOL.
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jackie